Matthew Poole and continuators on Nahum 3

1 WO to the bloody city, it is all full of lies and robbery , the prey departeth not .

A comprehensive threat of many, and great calamities coming.

Nineveh, the chief City of the Assyrian Kingdom. Vid. chap. 1. ver. 1, let. b.

Every part, Officers and Rulers; Traders, both Buyers and Sellers; Shops, Houses, Judicatories, all fill'd with falsehood and lies.

Cheating in their Trades, and false Witnesses before the Judges.

Their gain, though they count honest, is no better in Gods account than robbery or rapine, as is that the Lion taketh, teareth, and devoureth, as the word Heb. implies.

Unjust acquists by fraud and force; extortions and violent taking away what was not theirs.

As they did so long since, they continue still so to do, no change from injustice to justice.

Marginal references: Ezek. 24.9. Hab. 2.12.; Heb. city of bloods.

2 The noise of a whip , and the noise of the ratling of the wheels , and of the pransing horses , and of the jumpings chariots.

With which the Charioteer roused, and animated the Horses which drew the Warlike Chariots.

By the swi[illegible: 1 letter]t motion of the Horses

in the Chariots proudly and stately trampling,

made to jump by the swiftness, and strength of the Horses which drew them.

The French reads this verse with a Negative distributive, and so links this and the next verse with the former negative, ver. 1. thus the prey de[illegible: 1 letter]arteth not, nor the noise of the whip, nor, &c. intimating the long continuance of the Chaldeans insulting over the N[illegible: 1 letter]nevites.

3 The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword , and the glittering ‖ spear, and there is a multitude of slain , and a great number of carcasses ; and there is no end of their corpses : they stumble upon their corpses.

The Chaldean, and Mede, or their Confederates in the War.

Hath his sword not only drawn, but in a posture ever ready to smite, wound, or kill.

These Warriours kept their weapons in such manner, that they were fit both to cut and kill▪ and also to dazle the eye, and affright.

In Nineveh, and the streets of it.

By the sword of the prevailing besiegers.

The slain lay in the streets unburied.

None knew the numbers of the slain.

Both Invaders, and invaded, all within the City,

are ready to fall at them, not able to avoid them.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] of the sw[illegible: 1 letter]rd, and [illegible: 1 span]ing of the spear.

4 Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts , that selleth nations through her whoredoms , and families through her witchcrafts.

God is just, Nineveh hath deserved all this.

Her crafts and her policies are in which she resembled those lewd Women, as they by their wiles abuse, and deceive men; so did Nineveh or the Assyrian Kingdom deceive, impoverish, and enslave Nations by state policies, so Isa. 23.17. and Revel. 17.2. or else, by Whoredoms here may be meant Idolatries which were multiplyed by the many people that served the Assyrian Idols, or by their multiplying of Idols which probably they did by taking into the Muster-Roll of their Gods those Idols which the conquered Nations worshipt, or Whoredoms literally understood; for this sin undoubtedly did abound where Wealth, Luxury, Ease, and long continuance of these were to be found.

The Glory of their State and Government, or the splendour of their Idols, Temples, and Sacrifices, or the comeliness and beauty of the lewd, and whorish Women among them.

Bewitching Policies, and enchanting Counc[illegible: 1 letter]ls confederacies, and promised Favours, or it may be literally taken for Witchcrafts or Necromancies, which sin abounded no doubt among the Assyrians

disposeth of them as imperiously, and absolutely as men do slaves which they buy, or else drawing them into the Wars for pay, exposed them to slaughter by the Enemies sword, as if they had bought their persons to sell their lives, that thereby their own Country m [illegible: 1 letter]n and Citizens might be spared, and escape. Or selleth, i. e. [illegible: 1 span] them to abound in sin, for which God in his just judgment selleth them into the Enemies hand.

Whole Kingdoms.

See let. y.

Either 'tis an elegant illustration of the former passage, or perhaps it may intimate the seducing of some particular and eminent Families to ingage themselves in an hereditary and perpetual service to the Assyrian Idols, or to Witchcrafts, in which the Devil imitated God's institution, in taking a Family to his service, so the chief Families had the Authority of Ruling, and the burthen of an Idolatrous Priesthood, Or. [illegible: 1 word]. de Rep. lib. 4. Sect. 9. and lib. 8. c. 2. Sect. 6, and 8.

5 Behold I am against these aith the LORD of hosts, and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness , and the kingdoms thy shame.

See chap. 2. ver. 13. let. p. q. r. s.

Nineveh as an Harlot had been proud, and appeared beautiful, and gay in the gifts of her Lovers; but now God will deal with her according to her wayes, (and as men provoked use to do with Harlots) strip her naked, and expose her to greatest infamy, or deal with thee as inhumane Souldiers do deal with Captive Women, Vide Annot. in Ezek. 16.37.

Which once did reverence thy greatness, shall now abhor thy nakedness which they behold

thy vileness and thy shame as in the next words.

Marginal references: Isa. 47.2.3, 8. Jer. 13.22, 26.

6 And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile , and will set thee as a gazing-stock .

By the Chaldean and Medish Army which God will stir up against the Assyrian Monarchy.

As is done to lewd Women.

Nineveh had made her self morally evil, and vile by sinning: now she shall be made penally vile.

O Nineveh.

At which they shall wonder and be astonished, some shall take warning too; so Zenacherib's Tomb was a standing Monument to put men in mind that God is to be feared, and that men looking on it may reflect on their insolence, and decline it. So Senacherib's Tomb-stone with his Statue: Of which chap. 1. ver. 14.

7 And it shall come to pass that all they that look upon thee▪ shall flee from thee, and say Nineveh is laid waste , who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?

It will most certainly be.

So soon as ever thou art seen, and discovered O Nineveh in thy vileness,

With hatred, loathing, and abhorrence for her former pride, and wickedness, and for her present miseries.

With wonder, scorn, rejoicing, and spreading the News.

Taken, sackt, emptied of Inhabitants, yea, utterly subverted, that it may be no more a rival with Babylon, 'tis certain that 'tis not now where it once stood.

Whose Bowels will be moved for her that had no Bowels for any one, who will move foot or hand toward her relief?

From what place? She hath wronged all her Neighbours, and ruin'd some of them, from amidst these, surely not one may be fetch't to speak comfortably to her; these do with reason upbraid her former cruelty and pride, and reioyce in her present calamity and ruine, and strangers will not be concern'd for her.

8 Art thou better then populous No, that was scituate among the rivers , that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea , and her wall was from the sea.

O Nineveh.

'Tis generally supposed, that this was what we now call Alexandria, a City full of people, and as full of Luxury and Uncleanness, the sins whereof had brought it to ruin, though the History of it do not specifie time, person or means, &c. Art thou greater, stronger and wiser, more able to resist an enemy, and preserve thy self? Yet all her power was broken, her riches spoiled, and her glory buried in ruines. This known in those dayes, was a fit example to be set before the Ninevites, and though some conjecture the Prophet foretells what should befall populous No, to awaken the Ninevites, yet it seems incredible, that the Prophet should take an instance to terrifie secure Ninevites from somewhat to come to pass in after Ages.

In a place where the seven streams of Nilus very fairly might be accounted so many Rivers, and near to one of these streams toward the Sea, was this mighty and rich City seated.

Though at some distance, yet at no great distance.

Or defence of its walls on one side.

That part of the midland Sea which was Mare Egyptiacum, and was Northward from the City.

A mighty strong wall built from the Sea, on the parts Landward, where need was.

Marginal references: Amos [illegible: 2 letters]; Or, [illegible: 1 span]; Heb. [illegible: 1 span] ▪; Jer. [illegible: 1 span]

9 Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength , and it was infinite , Put and Lubim were thy helpers.

'Tis not very probable that this Ethiopia should be that remote country that lay South of Egypt, though in truth 'tis possible, and while Egypt was in friendship with No-Amon, or Alexandria, the aids might in length of time come from Ethiopia, or Habassia. But there was a Cush, an Ethiopia in Arabia, near to Egypt and Alexandria, whose people were likest to undertake the assistance of Alexandria their Neighbour. See 2 Chron. 14.9. Ezek. 30.4, 5. and Hab. 3.7.

This No or Alexandria, was either a City subject to, and was part of Egypt, or if (as some conjecture) 'twas a free City, 'twas in league with Egypt.

Furnishing Souldiers and Warlike Assistance on all occasions to Alexandria, which relyed on these confederates.

They never made an end of their confederacies and warlike provisions. It is reported that when Amasis Reigned, Egypt reckoned twenty thousand Cities, and when Zerah King of Ethiopia came against Asa it was with an Army of ten hundred thousand men, and three hundred (thousand) chariots; these were the associates of Alexandria.

Or Phuteans or the Moors, who lye along Westward of Alexandria.

The people that inhabited the parts of Africa, and thought to be that which is now called Cyrene, Vid. Ezek 30.

O Alexandria.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 span].

10 Yet she was carried away , she went into captivity ; her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets; and they cast lots for her honourable men ; and all her great men were bound in chains .

It is probable this might be about thirty years before; for about 3207, as Calvisius, or 3277, as Arch-Bishop [illegible: 1 letter]sher. Sabacon King of Ethiopia invaded Egypt, took Bocchoris, and burnt him, which was not likely to be done without slaughter of men, and sacking of Towns, among which time No might be ruined, Now as Calvisius and Helvicus account about 3238, or as Usher 3307 An. Mund. Nahum appears, and flourisheth.

This ingemination confirms the certainty of the thing, and intends to affect the Ninevites the more.

Their innocent age was no safeguard to them.

First barbarously murthered, and then trod under soot in the streets, as was usual with those cruel bloody Souldiers, 2 Kings 8.12. Psal. 137.9. Isa. 13.16

Either to put a scorn upon them, or else to prevent any contest about them▪ being taken among many others together, and none could say this is my Prisoner.

Citizens of note, or some Officers or Governours.

Great in Place, Strength, Valour, Wisdom, and so likely to do the Conqueror a displeasure, should they not be secured

of Iron or manacled, used as worst Slaves.

11 Thou also shalt be drunken , thou shalt be hid ; thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy.

O Nineveh,

not only taste, but drink deep, yea, be drunk with the bitter Cup of Gods displeasure, and thine Enemies rage, Isa. 29.9. Obad 16.

Either hide thy self, or be so weakned, and diminisht, that thou shalt no more appear, or else be as contemptible, laid by in some obscure place, fear and shame shall cover thee.

O Nineveh as well as Alexandria,

shalt sue for, and intreat assistance,

or from the Enemy, i. e. Either thus in thy distress thou shalt seek for strength from such as are really thine Enemies, though they make a league with thee; or thus, thou shalt beg protection from thy Enemy that hath captivated thee, and rely on the mercy of him against the rage of others.

Marginal references: Psal. 75.8. [illegible: 1 letter]er. 25.17.

12 All thy strong holds shall be like figtrees with the first ripe figs : if they be shaken , they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

Castles, and fortified places, not one or two, but all of them

easily shaken,

whose weight, and ripeness will bring them quickly to the ground

if but very lightly toucht,

into the hand of devouring, and hungry ones.

Marginal references: Rev. 6.13.

13 Behold thy people in the midst of thee are women : the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies , the fire shall devour thy bars .

This may seem strange, but attend diligently, thou shalt see how this will be.

Those thou hirest, and are thine for pay; those that are born thine, all thy Warriours

where very Cowards use to be valiant, or where necessity makes Cowards valiant, where they sho'd shew most valour,

weak, afraid, flee away, and hide themselves, Ier. 48.41. and 51.30. God wo'd fill them with terrour, and they shall not dare to keep their Gates shut against the Enemy.

The Cities, but especially the strong fortified Frontiers which should keep out the Enemy,

shall either through fear or treachery be opened, wide opened to admit the Enemy.

Chaldeans, and their Confederates.

When the Enemy is thus admitted, he shall burn either the City or the Gates and Bars, he will never trust, nor spare thee.

With which the Gates were both shut and strengthened, 1 Sam. 23.7. Psal. 147.13.

Marginal references: Jer. 5[illegible: 1 letter].37.

14 Draw thee waters for the siege , fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter , make strong the brick-kill .

Fill all thy Cisterns, and make more, that thou want not for drink, ye draw the waters into the ditches, or graft about every Fort

which thine Enemies will lay against thee.

Repair all decays, and strengthen all that is weak.

Set thy Brick-makers on work to prepare store of strongest Bricks,

that the materials for thy Fortifications may be firm and good, all this is spoken with an Ironie, or derision of their fruitless labour.

15 There shall the fire devour thee: the sword shall cut thee off: it shall eat thee up like the canker worm : make thy self many as the canker worm, make thy self many as the locusts.

In the very Fortresses.

Either literally, or figuratively, the wrath of the Enemy hot as fire, or the Pestilence, or all together

Of the Chaldeans, their Wars (after all that the Scythians have done against thee) these shall utterly destroy thee.

This tells us the manner how the Ninevites shall be destroyed, they shall be eaten up:

Either the Enemy shall as easily eat thee up, as the Canker worm eats the green Herb; or thou shalt as soon be devoured as Canker worms are destroyed by storms, rain, fire, or change of weather.

They are innumerable, be thou so if thou canst be, all will be to no purpose.

The same Ironie repeated, when the Ninevites have done all they can, they shall as fully, and s[illegible: 1 letter]ddenly be destroyed as these Vermin are.

16 Thou hast multiplyed thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the canker worm spoileth and fleeth away.

For number; and as the word may import▪ thou hast greatned them, thou reliest on their purse, and interest.

Either literally or figuratively, thy great men, Princes and Rulers, which sold and bought, chap. 3. ver. 4. or thy Confederates, who by vertue of such Leagues have free Commerce with thee, and this most like to be the meaning.

Proverbially taken for a very great number,

This seems an abrupt speech, and may be thus made up, whatever thou thinkest of these, which thou both multiplyest, and magnifiest; I tell thee, O Nineveh! They are like the Canker worm, and Locu[illegible: 1 letter]t

wh[illegible: 1 letter]ch spoil where ever they come, and do the greater mischief where they are greater in number, for they come for spoil, while they get by thee, they continue with thee.

When no more is to be gotten, they take wing, and flee away, leaving waste, and stench behind them, so will these serve thee O Nineveh.

Marginal references: Or spreadeth [illegible: 1 word].

17 Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day , but when the sun ariseth they flee away , and their place is not known where they were.

Thy rich and wealthy Citizens, or thy Confederate Kings and Princes, or thy Tributary Princes.

Hired▪ or homeborn, rather the former, Commanders and Officers for numb[illegible: 1 letter]r, and briskness, are like Locusts and great Grasshoppers, but [illegible: 1 word] all for shew, nothing for help to thee;

As if they would guard the Grounds, about which they settle.

This lasts while the season suits them.

When Trouble, War▪ and Danger, like the parching Sun scalds them.

They shift from the hedge they eat up.

Thou shalt never know where to find them when thou needest, and they should help thee.

18 Thy shepherds slumber , O king of Assyria : thy nobles shall dwell in the dust : thy people is scattered upon the mountains , and no man gathereth them.

Subordinate Magistrates, Rulers, and Counsellors, or Officers set over the Kingdom.

Are remiss, or mistake, or are heartless or dead, they cannot, or will not mind the publick concerns,

His Name I meet not with, Asaradinus, or as the Scripture calls him Esarhaddon, may possibly be the Name and Man intended

The brave, valiant, and famous men.

Either be buried as dead, or ly on the dust as faint, and weary, or be trampled on as worthless and useless,

Thy Citizens, and Subjects in their great numbers.

Partly through fear, shame, and astonishment; partly by violence of the invading Enemy.

Where is neither safety nor provision against danger and want.

No one that will concern himself to preserve thy dispersed ones; so thou and they are left hopeless, and ruined, for the shepherds are some dead, and cannot, the rest slumber and will not, lay to heart their condition.

Marginal references: Or, valiant ones.

19 There is no healing of thy bruise : thy wound is grievous : all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually .

In a word, thou Nineveh! must die, thy bruise he will not heal who gave it, and others cannot. God by the Chaldeans hath wounded thee, and thy friends cannot bind up the wound.

Shiver'd, and broken State.

Hath brought a weakness on thee, thou art sick with thy wound, and faintest, not able to bear a cure.

Of thy former carriage, and present calamities,

insulting and rejoycing over thee.

No Kingdom, State, City or Family almost round about thee; not one can be named.

Thy Sins, thy Idolatry, Luxury, &c. Thy Tyranny, Pride, Oppression and Cruelty; Thy illegal, unpresidented violence

without any bounds, and in most vehement and fierce manner,

either alwaies treading down, and trampling upon those whom thou hadst subdued, or else having conquered and spoiled one State, didst forthwith fall upon some other. Thus all suffered by thee, and all rejoyce at thy utter downfal; and as none have cause to befriend thee, so none will find hearts to pity thee, or hands to help thee, but every one is ready to wish, that all who are, as thou wer[illegible: 1 letter], Enemy to Mankind, and Justice, may, as thou, perish without help or pity.

Marginal references: Heb. wrinkling.